Sharonville considers shutting down health department
- Health commissioner's resignation prompts review
- Contract with Hamilton County considered
- Mayor cites finances
The resignation of Sharonville's health commissioner has prompted a review that could bring an end to the city's health department.
The transition of leadership created an opportunity to examine alternatives for public health services to Sharonville residents and businesses, according to Mayor Kevin Hardman, and City Council is collecting information to make a decision on whether to shut down the city department or hire a new commissioner.
Propes is leaving Sharonville for a position as commissioner of the Miami County Board of Health. His last day at Sharonville health commissioner is Aug. 1.
Sharonville Director of Nursing Margaret Sheldon will fill in as health commissioner until City Council reaches a decision on the fate of the department.
"During this time of transition, I felt it necessary to examine all possible alternatives for the provision of public health services to the residents and business community of Sharonville," Hardman said. "This includes the option of contracting for these services through other governmental entities, in particular the Hamilton County Board of Health."
Hardman cited a 2013 study of Consolidation of Local Health Department in Ohio that found a 13 percent decrease in the number of local health departments, and posted information on the city's website, www.sharonville.org.
Sharonville is one of four communities, aside from Hamilton County, that maintains a health department. The others are Springdale, Norwood and Cincinnati.
"New state regulations, like requiring accreditation of local health departments by 2020, continue to make maintaining local health departments less cost-effective and more onerous," the mayor said.
Safety-Service Director Jim Lukas met with representatives of the Hamilton County Board of Health in June, to compare services and estimate the cost to Sharonville.
Hardman reported an initial estimate of $30,000 to contract with the Hamilton County Department of Health.
"The 2014 Sharonville health department budget is $425,805 with receipts of $121,095, a cost to the city general fund of $304,710," Hardman said. "The general fund subsidized health department operations in 2013 in the amount of $264,317.
"From a simply dollar and cents perspective, by contracting with the Hamilton County Board of Health to provide statutorily-required public health services, the city could save $234,000 to $274,000 a year.
"Considering this substantial savings, myself and our administration recommended that we continue discussions with Hamilton County, begin discussions with local Sharonville business entities, converse with other communities that engage the services of Hamilton County and reach out to our residents to determine how our services compare to Hamilton County that would justify the additional expense.
"Before doing so, and acknowledging the impact these discussions would have on our current employees, the administration asked for executive sessions of the Sharonville City Council," he said of the July 8 session, with second session held on July 9.
Elected officials were made aware of the administration's decision during the July 8 executive session of the City Council meeting.
"With the resignation of Dennis Propes, our health commissioner, this is an appropriate time to study the department's activities and evaluate any and all options," Councilman Paul Schmidt said.
"No decision has been made yet," Councilman Rob Tankersley said. "It's being discussed."
"While I have not formed an opinion on the topic, I do think it's appropriate to listen to alternatives," Councilman Ed Cunningham said.
Councilman Dave Koch said Propes' departure, along with potential cost savings, make the issue "a relevant topic to investigate."
"It is our responsibility to look into ways to provide quality services at the most economical cost to the taxpayer," Koch said.
Councilman Greg Pugh said that while thorough review is needed, the issue is deeper than finances.
"Our number one priority is to receive the same level, or better, of what our residents and businesses are getting now," Pugh said.
"There is so much good work that our health department does in our community that we want to make sure we leave no stone unturned in investigating what Hamilton County can offer if we go in this direction.
"We are not going to make a change that degrades the services to our residents and businesses."
Service to the residents and businesses is the focus for Councilman Kerry Rabe, who cited restaurant oversight and pool inspections.
"If we go down the road to Hamilton County, I'm going to make sure we have an apples-to-apples comparison," he said. "It's not just about reducing cost.
"We also need to keep the employees in mind," Rabe said. "I don't want to pull the rug out from under their feet just to save Sharonville money."
All of the council members said they welcome input from the public, and Hardman said the city would consider that input before a decision is made.
Councilman Matt Eggenberger did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
Services of health department
• Food service licenses and inspections;
• Pool and spa inspections;
• Hotel and motel inspections;
• Tattoo parlor inspections;
• Environmental inspections including schools, infectious waste sites, mill creek samplings and rabies control;
• Seasonal flu vaccinations;
• Senior club blood pressure monitoring;
• Children's health fair;
• Home and office visits;
• Tuberculosis testing; and
• Children's vaccinations.
Your turn
Should Sharonville close its health department and contract with Hamilton County for health services? Why or why not? Comments below and by email to rmaloney@communitypress.com.